Scrimmage and Intrasquad Additions

by **ReZyNeZy** » June 19th, 2024, 2:18 pm

The NCAA is set to allow schools to play 2 intrasquad games at off-campus locations in addition to 2 exhibition (aka Scrimmage) games against NCAA affiliates. All 4 games will be allowed to be publicized and have ticket sales.

Mid and low majors can potentially host high major opponents at their venues, driving up visibility for a school. While those same high majors can have the peace of mind knowing their precious Ken Pom isnt going to be affected by a exhibition match.

I also see all levels hosting intrasquad games at local venues to drive up local fan support. I already saw some valley folks on twitter cooking up some great ideas with how to handle these events.

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by **tribecalledquest** » June 21st, 2024, 7:43 am

ReZyNeZy wrote:The NCAA is set to allow schools to play 2 intrasquad games at off-campus locations in addition to 2 exhibition (aka Scrimmage) games against NCAA affiliates. All 4 games will be allowed to be publicized and have ticket sales.

Mid and low majors can potentially host high major opponents at their venues, driving up visibility for a school. While those same high majors can have the peace of mind knowing their precious Ken Pom isnt going to be affected by a exhibition match.

I also see all levels hosting intrasquad games at local venues to drive up local fan support. I already saw some valley folks on twitter cooking up some great ideas with how to handle these events.

I see your optimism but who would Indiana go to Valpo for an exhibition game? Or Illinois to ISU? They can have those games on campus and make the money - and they won’t have to pay the team coming much of a guarantee if at all.

by **ReZyNeZy** » June 21st, 2024, 9:59 am

tribecalledquest wrote:
I see your optimism but who would Indiana go to Valpo for an exhibition game? Or Illinois to ISU? They can have those games on campus and make the money - and they won’t have to pay the team coming much of a guarantee if at all.

Well Ken pom is going to be a factor in who plays who. Obviously IU isnt going to make a trip to Valpo for a one shot match, but Butler and Notre Dame have history of doing so. I am more so thinking along the lines of InSU type teams (those MMs with proven success) being able to play opponents that give them a challenge and prepare for a potential tournament berth. Sadly the Ken Pom ratings not being affected by an exhibition is a 2 way street, but those good MMs that play in conferences that where only a handful of the teams can provide a competitive match would benefit from this new addition.

As for payment of teams, "buy games" or "paycheck games" are common in the football world. I expect this to be adopted for the exhibition games. Its still a win for the small fry as they are guaranteed exposure either way, and would get a paycheck for playing the big school on top of it.

I am more happy to see the intrasquad games however. Being an Indiana guy, I am just imagining schools going to play in some of the big Indiana gyms (which were actually considered to be 2020 March Madness sites until the problem of temporarily renovating the venues for full court dimensions came up). A lot of these gyms are old Ligamens like Roberts was and did not have retractable seating. Schools like Valpo playing a one off in "The Wolves Den" , "Baratto Center" or "Cougar's Den". Or Evansville traveling up to Washington to play a game in the "Hatchet House" has the potential to generate a lot of local support if properly marketed.